Join us Christmas Eve @ 5 or 8:30 pm!

News from Pastor Hardy

You deserve to feel joy — fully.

The world needs your joy, even if you are weary.

Our joy is better when it is shared.

 — from “How does a weary world rejoice?” by the staff at A Sanctified Art

Dear Kris,

Between our endless to-do lists, calendar reminders, and work deadlines, does anyone else feel like they’ll never get to just sit and enjoy the peace, hope, and joy of this season?

Sometimes Advent can feel like another set of tasks to check off in order to “earn” the celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany. But what if we could trust that the work of Advent is being done by God? That God is the one who makes the journey to us as we wait in preparation for His joy that is coming to bless us?

We all are meant to enjoy this season’s celebrations. There’s nothing we have to do to deserve them. I hope you can trust this, and that you can make time to enjoy them with us. Come and wait with us. Come and celebrate with us. Come and receive the joy that God is bringing this Christmas.

Wishing you the joy of this season,

Hardy

Christmas Eve Special Offering

Thank you for your generous donations to this year’s Christmas Eve offering which will make a difference in the recovery efforts in Maui.

Here’s a message from one of our elders, Ashley Gonzalez, whose family was directly affected by the fires.

You can give online now — please designate

“Give to Christmas Eve/Hawaii.”

Ryan Althaus: Guest Preacher

Sunday, December 31

Rev. Ryan Althaus will be preaching at Sunnyvale Pres on December 31. Join us to hear his sermon: “Seven Swans-a-swimming Alongside Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.”

Ryan heads up the Salty Sheep Ministry in Santa Cruz and is the San Jose Presbytery Hunger Inclusion Affiliate. You can find out more about his ministry on his website. He has also published a book entitled The Expanse: Homos, Hobos, and the Holy Hereafter.

Prayers for the Leadership Retreat

Saturday, January 6

Your elders and deacons who will be starting or continuing their terms in 2024, the pastors, and some staff are meeting on Saturday, January 6 for their annual retreat. Thanks for praying for them as they begin or continue in their elected roles.

CARAVAN Unveiling

Sunday, January 14 • 11:30 am

Coleman Room

Join us in the Phoenix Center after worship for our monthly Family Meal and find out about our 2024 CARAVAN youth mission trip destination! Everyone is welcome to join and registration will open that day.

Save the Date!

Thursday, January 25

Amber Cantorna-Wylde will talk about her latest book, followed by a book-signing.

Men’s Retreat

February 2–4 • Redwood Glen

Register

Everyone is invited to the annual Men’s Retreat. The theme this year will be “Friendships Between Men.” We’ll discuss topics such as why it can be so difficult for men to form friendships and why these friendships are so important to physical and mental health. Check the website for more information and to register. Hope to see you there!

Intergenerational Trip to Northern Ireland

April 12–21 • Applications due January 29

This spring, Pastors Hardy and Karin will lead an intergenerational peacemaking trip to Northern Ireland. The purpose is to learn about conflict and trauma in Northern Ireland, and to meet with local leaders involved in peacemaking efforts — as well as enjoy the natural beauty and experience the hospitality of the people. 

Afterward, the travelers will share their experiences with our local community. Applications are due January 29. More information is available on the church website.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Maggie Burklund — recovery from fall
• Nancy Tousignant — strength/recovery
• Joan Latimer — cancer
• Mildred Prasad — comfort/dementia
• Howard Gaines — comfort
• Frances Reid — pain relief
• Beverly Bell — recovering from fall
• Paula White-Oliver — recovery from surgery

Praise Report!

• Scott Zhang — recovered from surgery

Advent Resources

Password:

ADVENT

MLK &

Civil Rights

Jan. 7–28

Kathie (Fregger) Yaggi Memorial

Jan. 12

Save the date...

• Macular Degeneration Group • January 25
• Safe Church Training • February 25
• Women’s Retreat • April 5–7

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am (not meeting Dec. 24 or 31) • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
• Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • 10 am (Note: Dec. 17–Jan. 7 is All-Ages Worship) • Register
• Youth Group • Times vary, check the website
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday • After worship • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
• DipJar • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Sunnyvale Community Services
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email • Register
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays (not meeting Dec. 27 or Jan. 24) • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary

Prayer & Bible Study Groups

• Virtual Small Group for Grades 4–6 • Mondays • 6:15–7 pm • Email
• Men’s Bible Study • Tuesdays • 6:30–7:30 am • Email

Social & Support Groups

• LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Group • 1st Monday • 7 pm • Email
• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group • 4th Tuesday • 11:30 am • Over Zoom • Call 1-800-272-3900
• Parents Together • 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Patio outside the gym • Info
• Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
• Prayer Shawl Knitters • 3rd Wednesday • 7:30–9 pm • Over Zoom • Email
• Queer Fellowship Group • Monthly get-togethers • Email

Outdoors

• Hiking Group • 2nd Saturday • 9 am • Email
• Cycling Group • Most Saturday mornings • 9 am • Email

Helpful Links

• Subscribe to e-newsletters for children, youth, and/or weekly worship focus.
• Like us on Facebook.
• Follow Sunnyvale Pres and Youth Ministry on Instagram.
• Re-read past articles in our newsletter archives.

Creative Ways to Maximize Your Gifts to the Church

Does your workplace offer a matching employer donation benefit? Sunnyvale Pres is an eligible charity for many employers, including those in the Benevity and YourCause networks.

Also check out this article for three popular ways people are giving to charities from their IRAs, appreciated stock, and charitable trust accounts. 

2023–2024 Fiscal YTD Results

Nov 2023 (month 8). $ K   

Church Income...... $ 878

Church Expenses.... $1007

Church Deficit..... $(129)

Outreach Deficit... $ (14)

Combined Deficit....$(143)

Fiscal year-to-date through November, both the church and the outreach groups are reporting deficits. Church spending of $1,007K was offset by church income of $878K, resulting in a church deficit of $(129)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have a deficit of $(14)K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(143)K year-to-date. November is the eighth month of our fiscal year.

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the sanctuary (not meeting Dec. 27 or Jan. 24)
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the sanctuary

To join online, look for the red banner at the top of our website. Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”